Let’s Celebrate National Library Week!
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The American Library Association has celebrated National Library Week every year since 1958, and this year Book Riot wanted to take the opportunity to spend a week talking about what libraries mean to us, how to get the most out of your public library, and why libraries deserve your patronage and support (we’re also giving away a Kindle so you can read digital loans from your library, NDB).
The theme of this year’s NLW is “Libraries Lead,” and the chair is (amazing, talented, beautiful) ballerina Misty Copeland, the first African American woman ever named principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre.
Americans are library users. 46% of adults report visiting public libraries or bookmobiles, with millennials being the generation most likely to have done so (53%, as opposed to 45% of Gen Xers or 43% of Baby Boomers). This feels especially important—younger adults realize the value of libraries, and will continue to use them. However, only 8% of millennials, 9% of Gen Xers and 9% of Baby Boomers use library apps—if getting to the library is an obstacle for you, see if they have an app you can use for digital loans! There’s even a Chrome extension that will tell you if your local library has a book that you’re looking up on Amazon.
Libraries aren’t just a place to find free books. They’re increasingly community gathering spaces, resources for digital education and useful classes, places to borrow everything from tools to cooking utensils, spaces for concerts and readings, and more. They’re spaces where marginalized readers can come to find acceptance and books that reflect their experience. They can be life-saving. As we evolve culturally, so do our libraries, in order to best serve communities.
So, go to your library. Get a library card. And stay tuned around here this week for some real library love (and watch our YouTube channel where we’ll also be chatting all things libraries).
The Librarian Workout
The Librarian Workout: start with the "I refuse to use/can't find a library cart" loaded carry.
Libraries As a Constant
I can safely say that if I hadn't had libraries in my life I don't think I'd be who I am today.
I Was the Library Ghost
One woman's fond recollections of her time as the library ghost and her first job shelving book at her middle school library.
Donate To EveryLibrary In Honor of National Library Week
It's National Library Week, and we're spreading the word about EveryLibrary, an organization that supports local library initiatives throughout the US.
5 Ways To Love Your Local Librarian
Tips for showing love at the libraries in your life from a school librarian living the dream. (Hint: USE US!)
The Magic of Investing in a New Library
One Rioter describes how seeing the renovation of her hometown childhood library inspired her for the future, and reminded her how much libraries matter.
A Roundup of Fierce Fictional Librarians
To celebrate National Library Week, we rounded-up some of our favorite fictional librarians.
Random Observations of a Former Fine Arts Library Page
In honor of National Library Week, here a few observations I've made in my time working at my university's fine arts library.
Genderqueerness in the Library
A reader recounts “Genderful! Exploring Gender Through Art,” presented by the Brooklyn Public Library, and writes about the impact and importance of events around genderqueerness in public libraries.
Keeping Your Personal Library Collection…at the Public Library
Through the magic of communal ownership everyone can enjoy a fabulous, big personal library like the Beast's--and we don't even have to do the work to maintain it!
Support Your Library During National Library Week
Celebrate National Library Week with millions of others by visiting you local library and promoting their great programs and services.
Kindle Fire Giveaway for National Library Week!
It's National Library Week, and to celebrate we're giving away Kindle you can load with ebooks borrowed from your public library!
